Vivier



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. J. M. DUVIVIER.

MOVABLE KEYBOARD. No. 522,048 Patented June 26, 1894.

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LOUIS JEAN MARIE DUVIVIER, OF NEVERS, FRANCE.

MOVABLE KEYBOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,048, dated June 26, 1894.

Application filed June 10, 1893. Serial No. 477,185. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, Louis JEAN MARIE DU- VIVIER, fabricant, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing in Nevers, (Nivre) France, have invented a Movable Keyboard Applicable to Double Basses and Bass-Viols or Violoncellos, of which the following is a specification.

The invention forming the object of the present invention relates to a movable keyboard applicable to double basses and bass viols or violoncellos and designed to facilitate the study, holding and playing of these instruments. This keyboard is represented in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a transverse section of the said keyboard. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the distribution or arrangement of the keys. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the whole of a double bass having the keyboard in question placed upon its neck. Fig. 4: is a side elevation and front view of a trestle employed to support the double bass when the keyboard is employed. Fig. 5 represents in plan and side elevation a support for preventing the bridge from being forced over and thrown down by the action of the pressing pieces or dampers worked by the keyboard. Fig. 6 illustrates a detail of the mode of suspending the bow underneath the keyboard. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the reed box.

The keyboard in question is formed by a box A in which is inclosed a series of keys B pivoted on a bearer a. and having their tail ends connected by rods or wires b of adjustable length to levers O pivoted at 0 whose extremities being provided with pressing pieces or dampers p are respectively opposite to the strings 1, 2, 3, of the instrument the neck D of which fits into a recess in the lower part A of the box A. Springs 7' fixed on the bearer a and pressing against a stop or shoulder 1) on the wires b constantly tend to cause the keys B to return to their normal position and move the levers C out of contact with the strings of the instrument. A glazed lid or cover E hinged at 2 covers the keys B and protects the mechanism from dust when the instrument is not in use.

The keyboard proper is of limited length oc-y (see dotted lines Fig. 2) while the levers C diverge and form several layers crossing one another so as to reach the strings 1, Zand 3 at the points where they require to press them down and shorten them in accordance with the sounds to be produced. The dampers 19 are covered with leather and are of different shapes corresponding to the lovers O to which they belong and according to the plane or position of the latter relatively to the strings. Under each of these strings opposite to the dampers a strip of leather is glued to the neck D in order that the strings may be held down properly.

At the upper part of the box A, Figs. 1 and 7, there may be provided a small box F containing as many free reeds m as there are keys on the keyboard. Each reed cell is provided with a valve which is raised to allow the wind from a bellows (which bellows may be operated by a pedal adapted for the purpose) to pass through the cell and act upon the reed. Rods f connect the keys of the key-board with the valves controlling the reeds whereby each key, as it is depressed,

opens the valve of the reed which is in unison with the note of the instrument which is sounded in consequence of the depression of that key.

At the lower part of the box A of the keyboard there is a space reserved for the bow d and another for the rosin box 9. The hairs of the bow are protected and its handle is conveniently placed for the player. It is supported at each extremity by hooks d and d (Fig. 6) attached underneath the boxA atits hinder end. The hook d is the one on the right hand of the player. The rosin boxg is hung on a pivot g on the front of the keyboard (see Fig. 1 and the dotted lines Fig. 2.)

The box A of the keyboard may be connected to the neck of the instrument in any suitable manner. A suitable number of pins may be placed upon the neck so as to engage under small bolts 0 fixed underneath the box Fig. l and correspondingly distributed throughout its length.

To prevent the bridge G of the strings of the instrument from being thrown down by the pressure of the dampers p of the keyboard this bridge is stayed or propped by a support H Figs. 3 and 5 provided with ahook h engaging with the top of the bridge and hinged at h to a piece t' attached to the support I to which the ends of the strings are secured. The stay H is suitably grooved or recessed at its lower part so as not to interfere with the middle string.

The employment of the keyboard necessitates placing the instrument in a different position from the usual one and it is supported in this position without assistance from the person using it. With this object it is provided with a trestle J which supports it and holds it at the required angle. This trestle J (Figs. 3 and 4) is formed by two similar uprights or legs suitably connected together and bent so as to form an angle at their upper extremities. They are jointed atj to bars 70 fixed at each side of the neck D of the instrument. The angular part of the legs of the trestle is cut or recessed and with this recess engages a small spring bolt 0 which prevents the trestle from collapsing. By acting upon the boltsv the legs of the trestle are released so that the trestle may be folded up. The strings 2 and 3 are supported upon a button m and the string 1, or treble string, rests upon a button n. These buttons are represented in Fig. 2.

The operation of tuning is facilitated by the pegs or keys 1, 2', 3, arranged above the head or end of the instrument so as to be within reach of the left hand of the player. when seated in front of the keyboard. The left hand is, aswill have been understood, the one which acts upon the keys when the lid E is raised the bow being held in the right hand.

The lid when raised and secured by a small piece of wood forms a desk or support for the music.

The shape of the box A of the keyboard may evidently be modified and any other mode of construction besides that illustrated in the drawings may be adapted without atfecting the principle of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. An attachment for basses or similar iiistruments, the said attachment comprising a key-board and levers adapted to be actuated by the keys to press on the strings of the instrunient, in combination with a stay H hinged to the support to which the ends of the strings are secured, the said stay being provided with a hook to engage with the top of the bridge supporting the strings of the instrument to prevent the bridge being thrown down by the said levers.

2. An attachment for basses or similar instruments comprising a key-board and levers adapted to be actuated by the keys to press on the strings of the instrument, in combination with a trestle hinged to the instrument and adapted to be locked in a position to support the instrument at an inclination suitable for the proper use of the keyboard.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS JEAN MARIE DUVIVIER.

Witnesses:

LEON FRANCKEN, ROBT. M. HooPER. 

